The chairman of a Coventry residents' association has admitted stealing part of a £7,000 grant intended to fund a tenants' gardening group and children's craft club.

David Nour, of Trafalgar House, Spon End, Coventry, admitted eight charges of theft and one charge of perverting the course of public justice.

Another 14 charges of false accounting were left to lie on the file at Coventry Crown Court.

Judge James Pyke heard how Nour, aged 46, had been chairman of the Spon End Estate Residents' Association and managed the grant from the Heart of England Community Foundation in part-nership with another tenant, who was "totally innocent".

David Jones, prosecuting, said: "Sums of money intended to improve facilities for children on the estate and people in a gardening club went missing in amounts ranging from £100 to £450 and £600 between June 2003 and August 2004."

He said: "A total of £3,120 is unaccounted for although some did go towards buying craft materials."

Mr Jones said the money, given in 2002, had been administered by Nour and another "totally innocent" man who had agreed to sign blank cheques for the sake of convenience.

Nour had manufactured his own receipts and filled in false information on the cheque counterfoils.

Michael Conry, for Nour, said some items were "genuinely bought", adding that Nour believed he had stolen £1,000 rather than £3,000 from the fund.

Sentencing was adjourned until June 22 for reports.

Afterwards, a visibly upset Nour said: "I was chairman of the residents' association and chairman of the Wakes steering committee and also helped with cubs and scouts at the Grapevine Centre.

"It became too much - I had a lot of medical problems and am on so much medication."

Also speaking after the case, Kate Mulkern, director of the Heart of England Community Foundation, said: "This is disappointing, although we remain firmly committed to giving local people the tools to change their community."